1. Researchers from A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) have become the first to discover and characterize a human protein called Bax-beta (Baxβ), which can potentially cause the death of cancer cells and lead to new approaches in cancer treatment. The finding is published in the 16 January report of the esteemed science journal, Molecular Cell.

2. Detection of Baxβ has eluded scientists until now. Said Dr Victor Yu, the Principal Investigator of the research team at IMCB, “Our research findings reveal that Baxβ protein levels are normally kept at essentially undetectable levels in healthy cells by the protein degradation machine in cells known as the “proteasomes”¹. The proteasomes are there to keep the lethal Baxβ in check. This is exciting — if the proteasome-mediated degradation of Baxβ could be inhibited specifically in cancer cells, it could cause the harmful cancer cells to go through apoptosis²”.

3. Until the discovery of Baxβ by Dr Yu’s team, only one single protein called Bax-alpha (Baxα) has ever been extensively studied in cells³. The researchers also found that Baxβ is able to associate with, and promote, Baxα activation, and that Baxβ, in its native form, is 100 times more potent than its sibling Baxα in triggering a key step in apoptosis. The future development of novel compounds that can selectively elevate levels of Baxβ or stimulate its interaction with Baxα could also lead to new drug approaches to cancer treatment, as these compounds are likely to enhance the apoptotic signals triggered by many conventional cancer drugs, which frequently cause toxic side effects in patients when higher doses of drugs are needed.

4. David Andrews, Professor of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, Canada added, “The beta-isoform⁴ of Bax has been enigmatic for several years. Although earlier research had hinted at its existence, the protein has proven extremely difficult to detect or examine functionally. Even attempts to produce the protein in the laboratory have been largely unsuccessful. In this study the Yu group resolves these issues by demonstrating that in cells Baxβ is normally rapidly degraded and kept at low levels, and when it is not degraded, it is profoundly apoptotic on its own and works in concert with Baxα. These studies provide information necessary for the elucidation of the importance of Baxβ in cell physiology.”

¹ 1 Proteasome: A “protein-digesting machine” that regulates cellular levels of various proteins including that of the lethal Baxβ, by breaking them into smaller components within the cell.

²Apoptosis: An important physiological process by which unwanted, damaged and infected cells are eliminated from multi-cellular organisms through a series of highly regulated cellular events resulting in the safe destruction of the target cells.

³ Earlier evidence had suggested that more than one protein was encoded by the Bax gene. However, only a single protein called Baxα had ever been detected and extensively studied in cells. Bax is known to be a key gene needed for the execution step of an important physiological process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

⁴ Isoform: An alternative form of a protein that may differ in characteristics such as its functions and/or distribution.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Wang Yunshi
Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Tel: +65 6826 6443
Email: wang_yunshi@a-star.edu.sg

Notes to the Editor:
The research findings described in the press release can be found in the article “Baxβ : A Constitutively Active Human Bax Isoform that is under Tight Regulatory Control by the Proteasomal Degradation Mechanism”, in the January 16, 2009 print issue of Molecular Cell.
Authors: Nai Yang Fu, Sunil K. Sukumaran, Sze Yen Kerk and Victor C. Yu*.
* Corresponding author: Victor Yu, email: mcbyuck@imcb.a-star.edu.sg

About the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a member of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and is funded through A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council BMRC). It is a world-class research institute that focuses its activities on six major fields: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Structural Biology, Infectious Diseases, Cancer Biology and Translational Research, with core strengths in cell cycling, cell signalling, cell death, cell motility and protein trafficking. Its recent achievements include leading an international consortium that successfully sequenced the entire pufferfish (Fugu) genome. The IMCB was awarded the Nikkei Prize 2000 for Technological Innovation in recognition of its growth into a leading international research centre and its collaboration with industry and research institutes worldwide. Established in 1987, the Institute currently has 35 independent research groups with more than 400 staff members.

For more information, please visit: www.imcb.a-star.edu.sg

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research, or A*STAR, is Singapore's lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. A*STAR actively nurtures public sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, with a particular focus on fields essential to Singapore's manufacturing industry and new growth industries. It oversees 14 research institutes and supports extramural research with the universities, hospital research centres and other local and international partners. At the heart of this knowledge-intensive work is human capital. Top local and international scientific talent drive knowledge creation at A*STAR research institutes. The Agency also sends scholars for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training in the best universities, a reflection of the high priority A*STAR places on nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.

For more information, please visit: http://www.a-star.edu.sg